InjuriesNoneTeam Connections Brandon Bass and Anthony Randolph both attended LSUAvery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton both attended TexasJason Collins and Corey Brewer were teammates in Minnesota during the 2008-09 seasonJason Terry and Andre Iguodala both attended ArizonaCorey Brewer and Jason Terry were teammates in Dallas during the 2010-11 seasonChris Wilcox and Andre Miller were teammates on the LA Clippers from 2002-05Wilcox, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari were teammates in New York during the 2008-09 season.

Game Notes When last these two teams met 9 days ago, the Celtics were able to win their seventh straight game in a crazy triple overtime affair. Unfortunately, the 3 overtimes took so much out of the team that the streak ended the next night as they lost to the Bobcats. The red hot Nuggets their own 9 game win streak stopped by that triple OT loss.

After the loss to the Bobcats, the Celtics got back on the winning track with a win over the Bulls and so come into this game looking for their second straight win. The Nuggets, however skidded into the break with 3 straight losses on the road. They are looking to right the ship as well as to avenge the loss in Boston as they return home again for this game.

The Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 games while The Nuggets are 7-3 in their last 10. The Nuggets have one of the best home court advantages playing in the thin mile high air and boast a 22-3 home record. The Celtics have struggled somewhat on the road with an 8-15 record.

This game begins a 5 game road trip for the Celtics and in the back of their minds, I'm sure they will be thinking of having to face the Lakers on Wednesday in yet another back to back set. The Celtics signed Terrence Ross on Monday but it's not clear whether he will be able to play in this game. Key Matchups vs Paul Pierce vs Danilo Gallinari Gallinari is averaging 17.1 points per game and is capable of hitting shots from the perimeter as well as getting to the basket. He has a height advantage on Pierce which may make guarding him more difficult for the Captain. However, Pierce's recent play may make it difficult on Gallo if it continues. In their last meeting at TD Garden, Pierce put up a triple double of 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists while Gallinari posted 18 points and 10 rebounds.

vs Brandon Bass vs Kenneth Faried Bass will have his hands full with Faried who has earned the nickname "Manimal." Faried plays with an abundance of energy and is a beast on the boards. He averages 12.2 points and 9.7 boards a game and slowing him down will be key for the Celtics. In their last meeting, Faried had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Hopefully he is a bit tired coming off of playing in the Rising Stars game as well as the Dunk Contest over All Star weekend.

Honorable MentionAvery Bradley vs Ty LawsonLawson has quietly become one of the more underrated point guards in the league. He led the Nuggets with 29 points and 9 assists and 6 rebounds in the last meeting. Bradley needs to put is trademark defense to work to limit Lawson in this one.

Keys to the Game Defense - I may sound like a broken record, but Defense is the key to every game. If they come into every game with the mindset to make defense a priority, they stand a good chance of winning every one. When they slack off on defense, it affects every part of their game. The offense feeds off the defense. The Nuggets have won 31-1 in games where they score 100+ points. They also rank first in the league in fast break points (19.4). The Celtics have got to play tough defense if they want to win this game.

Rebound - Since much of rebounding is effort and desire, the effort that the Celtics show on the boards usually indicates how much the team really wants the game. The Nuggets are a big team and are a very good rebounding team, ranking 2nd in the league with 45.4 rebounds per game and 1st in offensive rebounds with 13.8 per game. The Celtics are 2nd to last, pulling down only 39.7 rebounds per game. The Nuggets out-rebounded the Celtics 65-51 in their last meeting. The Celtics have got to make an effort to crash the boards as a team and do better in this one.

Be Aggressive The more aggressive team usually gets more calls and taking the ball to the hoop usually ends in either a basket or a foul or a kick out to a wide open teammate. The Celtics can't settle for jumpers, especially against a team like the Nuggets who will clean up the rebounds and turn them into a fast break. They have to be aggressive in going to the hoop. They also must be aggressive in going after loose balls and rebounds.

Bench PlayThe Celtics got a boost from their bench in their 3 OT win over the Nuggets but their reserves have also been inconsistent and we never know what we will get from them on any given night. In their first meeting, the Celtics reserves came through with 53 points but just 10 rebounds. Jason Terry with 26 points and Jeff Green with 17 points were big off the bench. The Nuggets bot 40 points and a whopping 33 rebounds from their reserves. Their top performers off the bench were Miller with 15 points, Brewer with 13 points, and 16 rebounds for McGee.

X-FactorsThin AirThe Celtics will be playing at a higher altitude than they are used to, while the Nuggets are used to it. This gives the Nuggets one of the best home court advantages in the league. The Celtics arrived in Denver the day before so hopefully it won't affect the Celtics too much.